Woke from rem sleep and a wonderful dream to my own personal hell. The demon has been here for an hour already, and is valiantly resisting my efforts to crush it into submission.  My head is going to explode. Either that or implode from all the temple squeezing. I just want it to stop. I think im reaching the peak in my cycle as they are getting worse and more frequent. approaching 8 on kip scale now. My doctor is working on a scrip for an oxygen tank, but fat load of good that does me now. Gonna take a hot shower then maybe someone will have a tip. Thank you my friends for understanding my hell.

I am sorry you are going through such a hard time Apollo.
People do find this condition very hard to understand and if your g/f wasn't willing to do that you are probably better off without her.  Hang in there you'll find someone who is Right for you!

Check out the Oxygen info link to the left.

Whilst you're waiting to get into the Neuro or your regular doc here are a few over the counter helpers:

4-Way Nasal spray or Dristan 12 Hour Nasal Spray helps with the annoying congestion.  ** Note ** Do not use this more than 3 days in a row!!  It can cause severe sinus problems.

Taurine and Caffeine drinks (RedBull if you like it) to help prevent a hit when you feel one starting.

Melatonin or an Allergy (Zyrtec aka cetirizine works for me) pill at night before bed to help avoid night time hits.

The herb Kudzu has helped a few as a prevent.   

Deep breathing through the milder hits can help too.

Hot/Cold Compresses Depending on your preference can help as well.


Pain Free Wishes to you!

When I first discovered O2 as a possible (make that now definite) abortive, it was my neuro's office secretary "working" with my insurance company to get it covered. My neuro was more than willing but the insurance company was balking. She got it all straightened out but it took over a week. How does one get the medical community to admit a treatment that has been studied and works? Sigh. Hang in there, Apollo. We know what it's like. Follow Ginger's advice like Rx. There's still stuff you can do on your own, but if you're unable to bug the dr or whomever is dragging their feet, have a family member get involved. Fight for your right to a proper intervention. God bless. lance

Going out to buy a Pack of Redbull now, and some Kudzu if i find it. Deff gonna pick up all those things that could help prevent a night hit, those are the bane of my existence.  I'm waiting one more day for my doctor then after that, Marc i'm following your plan with the welding. I have no qualms whatsoever about skirting what i'm "supposed to do" to get around this pain. Thank you guys, it's amazing how much better i feel after a few simple words. You guys are the best.

Hang in there Apollo.  Nighttime hits definitely suck!  Why is it everything is scarier at night?  Definitely try the melatonin an hour before bed.  Start with 9mg then you might have to adjust up or down to find your magic place.

Sorry about your g/f but echo Ginger's response.  Better to find out now than later, but the added emotion of that not good while you're going through this.  Focus your energy on educating yourself on this condition.   You may have posted elsewhere about your prevents, but I hope your doc put you on some type of prevents in addition to dragging his feet about the O2.   Hang tough..

Edit to add:  Apollo, went back and read your posts and I see you're going to a Neuro, but curious if she's a headache specialist..wanting to see what abortive methods to use before prescribing a prevent?  Working on prescribing O2?   All while you're suffering taking a wait and let's see attitude does nothing to speed up relief to your suffering.  I'd ask for a referral to a headache specialist (of course get some meds outta her first).  Go back and read Bob Johnson's posts about verapamil, some and in my hubby's case use SHORT_TERM taper of prednisone to kick a$$ until the verap kicks in.  Print off all the info and take to her (appointment or not) for her thoughts and hopefully actions, while waiting to get into headache specialist.  No reason for you to suffer while she's twittling her thumbs deciding what she will or will not do.

Jerry - you speak of kudzu in the past tense. What up with that, dog?

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Stockpiling when you're out-of-cycle is the best way to deal with the next one!  I wasn't nearly as well prepared as I thought, but I had enough to make the last one tolerable.  It made ALL the difference in the world!

Callico wrote on Jan 9^th, 2011 at 2:46am:


Good Luck with this Jerry.  Praying and keeping fingers crossed this works for you.

Lynae'

Hi Apollo.  I concur with everyone here and will add/emphasize:

Take matters into your own hands.  Most doctors suck at this condition.  There are some I read about here that are knowledgeable, but I usually read about ignorance of our condition. 

Once diagnosed there are many things we can do to prevent or abort the attacks.  I bust with psilocybes and caffeine but if I needed more I would set up some oxygen and I would skip the medical community. 

Only when I need a prescription for BOL will I see a doctor.

Just my opinion of course.  Good luck daddy-o!!

--Shaggy

Friends! You guys are amazing. I have purchased my tank and and mask, and am only waiting on my regulator to kick it up over 6lpm. I have also had succes with the caffeine drinks, so thanks for that tip! I'm pretty sure I'm over the hump in my cycle and my pain is lessening, so all sunshine and happiness form here! Can't wait for my regulator, and thank you guys again! DEATH TO THE BEAST! >

6lpm is not near enough.

Got my Regulator and E tank today. My cycle has passed but i am well equipped for the next one. I have tested and retested all my equipment. I look to the future with high hopes. So until my next cluster cycle I wish you all the best.